Cancer Facts and Statistics
The American Cancer Society projects the numbers of new cancer cases and deaths expected each year in order to estimate the contemporary cancer burden, because cancer incidence and mortality data lag three to four years behind the current year. In addition, the regularly updated Facts & Figures publications present the most current trends in cancer occurrence and survival, as well as information on symptoms, prevention, early detection and treatment.
There are eight regularly updated Cancer Facts & Figures titles, each available for free PDF download. Earlier editions of each title are also archived for historic reference.
Cancer Facts & Figures
ACS has published Cancer Facts & Figures annually since 1951. This annual report provides the most current information about cancer. A unique feature of these publications is their projections of the number of cancer cases and deaths expected in each state and in the nation in the current year. These widely cited projections serve as a basis for research, but are also readily understood by the public. Each edition of Cancer Facts & Figures includes a Special Section of in-depth focus on a specific cancer or group of cancers.
Interactive Cancer Statistics Center
Visit the American Cancer Society’s new Cancer Statistics Center website to explore, interact with, and share cancer statistics. The website provides detailed statistics on a range of topics including:
- Estimated new cancer cases and deaths by sex, state, and cancer type in the current year
- Current cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates and trends for individual cancer sites
- Risk factors and screening rates by state
The website can be used to:
- View and download maps, graphs, and charts
- Create custom downloadable maps, graphs, and charts
- Export data to Excel
- Share specific statistics that are important to readers
Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures
Much of the suffering and death from cancer could be prevented by more systematic efforts to reduce tobacco use, improve diet and physical activity, and expand the use of established screening tests. This publication provides recent prevalence estimates and trends for major cancer risk factors including tobacco use, obesity, physical activity, nutrition, ultraviolet radiation exposure, and infectious agents, as well as HPV and HBV vaccination uptake and screening test use for breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancers in US adults.
Breast Cancer Facts & Figures
Breast cancer is the second most common newly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer death among women in the US. This publication provides statistics about the occurrence of breast cancer, as well as information about risk factors, prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common newly diagnosed cancer and the third most common cause of cancer death among US men and women. In the past decade, CRC has emerged as one of the most preventable common cancers. This publication provides information about colorectal cancer, including statistics on cancer occurrence, as well as information about risk factors, prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans
African Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial/ethnic group in the US for most cancers. This publication provides the estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths for African Americans, as well as the most recent statistics on cancer occurrence and information on cancer risk factors (e.g., tobacco use, obesity, and physical inactivity) and the use of cancer screening tests.
Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos
About 17% of the US population identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2014—the largest US minority group. This publication, also available in Spanish, provides estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths for Hispanics/Latinos, as well as the most recent statistics on cancer occurrence and information on cancer risk factors (e.g., tobacco use, obesity, and alcohol consumption) and the use of cancer screening tests.
Cancer Treatment & Survivorship Facts & Figures
The number of Americans with a history of cancer is growing due to the aging and growth of the population, as well as improving survival rates. This comprehensive survivorship report, a collaboration between two of the Society’s Intramural Research Programs -- Surveillance & Health Services Research and Behavioral Research – and the National Cancer Institute, provides current and projected cancer prevalence estimates for the United States, as well as data from the National Cancer Data Base on treatment patterns, and information on the common effects of cancer and its treatment.
Global Cancer Facts & Figures
This publication, now in its third edition, provides an overview of the international cancer burden, including the estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths worldwide and by level of economic development, as well as detailed information on select cancer sites.
Global Burden of Cancer in Women
As a part of a larger partnership with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, the American Cancer Society released a report at the World Cancer Congress focusing on the increasing impact of cancer in low- and middle-income countries, both on women’s health and their economic participation. The report emphasizes that while the societal and economic costs of cancer are considerable and even catastrophic, this burden of disease, loss of life, and economic hardship is not inevitable.
The Cancer Atlas
The Cancer Atlas, created by The American Cancer Society, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the Union for International Cancer Control, is a one-stop shop for all of the best global cancer data available and offers in-depth insights into the cancer burden, major risk factors, and ways leaders worldwide can take action.